Recitation of the Holy Qur'an before Ceremonies and Meetings
Question:
AOA Brother,
I work in an organization where we held various briefings, meetings, seminars and ceremonies during which at times foreigners (non-muslims) are also invited. It has been a regular practice that every above mentioned event is started with recitation of Holy Quran. Some times its read without translation even.
It is my personnel view that it is welcomed by muslims but non muslims do not welcome it, however being in minority and being guest they do not object to this practice.
As Quran is for guidance, however the occasions where its read are not for that purpose, rather its purely a working gathering. Could you elaborate how this practice has been adopted in our society and what is its compulsion/ requirement in the light of Quran and Sunnah.
I will be grateful
Salam
Answer:
Assalamu Alaykum,
There is no evidences in the Qur'an or the Sunnah, suggesting recitation of the Qur'an before meetings. The Prophet (pbuh) held meany meetings with his companions, we are not aware of any reports suggesting that any one used to recite the Qur'an before these meetings.
Acts like this often start with good and sincere motivations but once they start it will be very difficult to stop them, gradually they become a mere formality and even a burden and can lead to undesirable side effects that defeat the purpose. Part of respecting the Qur'an is to recite it in an appropriate situation and occasion where people have gathered to benefit from the Book, rather than artificially joining it to a gathering that has a totally different purpose. If people (Muslim or Non-Muslim) gradually become tired of this practice and develop insensitive and careless attitude towards the Qur'an then only the organisers of such arrangement are to blame.
If the organisers wish, they can start the meetings with a few sentences in praise and glory of the Almighty and praying for the participants and the meeting, preferably with translation. This should take no more than a few seconds, it makes sense (even for non-Muslims) and more importantly it is inline with the way that the Prophet (pbuh) and the companions would start some of their meetings.
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April 2013
AOA Brother,
I work in an organization where we held various briefings, meetings, seminars and ceremonies during which at times foreigners (non-muslims) are also invited. It has been a regular practice that every above mentioned event is started with recitation of Holy Quran. Some times its read without translation even.
It is my personnel view that it is welcomed by muslims but non muslims do not welcome it, however being in minority and being guest they do not object to this practice.
As Quran is for guidance, however the occasions where its read are not for that purpose, rather its purely a working gathering. Could you elaborate how this practice has been adopted in our society and what is its compulsion/ requirement in the light of Quran and Sunnah.
I will be grateful
Salam
Answer:
Assalamu Alaykum,
There is no evidences in the Qur'an or the Sunnah, suggesting recitation of the Qur'an before meetings. The Prophet (pbuh) held meany meetings with his companions, we are not aware of any reports suggesting that any one used to recite the Qur'an before these meetings.
Acts like this often start with good and sincere motivations but once they start it will be very difficult to stop them, gradually they become a mere formality and even a burden and can lead to undesirable side effects that defeat the purpose. Part of respecting the Qur'an is to recite it in an appropriate situation and occasion where people have gathered to benefit from the Book, rather than artificially joining it to a gathering that has a totally different purpose. If people (Muslim or Non-Muslim) gradually become tired of this practice and develop insensitive and careless attitude towards the Qur'an then only the organisers of such arrangement are to blame.
If the organisers wish, they can start the meetings with a few sentences in praise and glory of the Almighty and praying for the participants and the meeting, preferably with translation. This should take no more than a few seconds, it makes sense (even for non-Muslims) and more importantly it is inline with the way that the Prophet (pbuh) and the companions would start some of their meetings.
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April 2013
